Abilene High threat Wednesday morning was 'false,' principal says

The Abilene Police Department increased its presence at Abilene High School Wednesday morning after a threat was made on social media.

An email statement from AHS Principal Michael Garcia distributed to parents and students addressed the matter, assuring everyone the report was unsubstantiated.

"Today we received a report of a potential disturbance that required investigation on behalf of the administration of AHS and APD," Garcia's email said. "I want you to know the report was false. For precautionary reasons, I invited APD to assist in the matter for a short period of time during the middle of the day. Please know that our Eagle’s (sic) safety is paramount and steps were taken to insure the safety of everyone. Thank you for your understanding and look forward to your continual support."

Abilene police Public Information Coordinator Rick Tomlin took to APD's Facebook page in the 1 p.m. hour Wednesday to address the situation, saying the department is "aware of an alleged threat" at the high school and that "a heavy police presence at the school" was just a precaution.

Later, Tomlin said a text or some type of social media post was being circulated about a student possibly bringing a handgun to Abilene High during lunch and shooting.

One of the students who received the message showed a parent who contacted the school and police.

"We both investigated and found no credible threat," Tomlin said in an email. "We want to commend both the student who showed their parent and the parent who subsequently contacted School Officials and Police."

Tomlin said anytime a student hears of a possible threat to let police and school officials know.